Exposing and developing apparatus for photographic composing device

ABSTRACT

An exposing and developing apparatus for a photographic composing device in which the photosensitive material to be exposed and developed is transported through a series of cells. Each cell has a transparent block overlying but spaced from the photosensitive material. Pumps deliver the developing and fixing solutions to the space between the blocks and the surface of the photosensitive material in a constant flow to insure uniform coverage of said material and minimize solution deterioration.

United States Patent [191 [H] 5] Jan. 8, 1974 Friedel EXPOSING AND DEVELOPING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Murray-Friedel, North Miami, Fla.

[73] Assigneez Visual Graphics Corporation, New

York, NY. A

[22] Filed: May 10, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 249,262

52 U.S.Cl 95/45, 95/14, 355/27 51 rm.c| ..B41b 13/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..95/4.5, 14,89;

[56] i I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,294,423 9/1942 Del Riccio 355/27 2,688,278 9/1954 Turtle 95/14 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Ati0rneyAlbert F. Kronman, Esq.

57 ABSTRACT An exposing and developing apparatus for a photographic composing device in which the photosensitive material to be exposed and developed is transported through a series of cells. Each cell has a transparent block overlying but spaced from the photosensitive material. Pumps deliver the developing and fixing solutions to the space between the blocks and the surface of the photosensitive material in a constant flow to insure uniform coverage of said material and minimize solution deterioration.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAK 8 m4 3,783,756

SHEET 20$ 3 PAIENIEDJM 8 new 3,783; 756

snmsur a EXPOSING AND DEVELOPINGAPPARATIJS FOR PHOTOGRAPIIIC COMPOSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION transparent blocks having solution receiving cavities at' the bottom thereof is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,815 issued Dec. 31, 1963 to Murray Friedel. The patent also discloses directing the projected light through the transparent block and liquid therein on to the photosensitive material which is thereupon exposed, developed, and thereafter fixed.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,815 in so far as the exposing and developing apparatus is concerned. The solutions which are more viscous than is customary, are slowly pumped over the surface of the photosensitive material, insuring a uniform, bubble free, constantly fresh supply, which results in a more uniform, denser development. Development by-products, known as bromine ions are also washed away so that there is no loss of sensitivity of adjacent areas which would result in a slower development process.

Other features and additional details of the invention will be disclosed in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two development cells for treating the photosensitive strip in accordance with the present invention. Portions of the pump structure are also shown,

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1 of the apparatus of the present invention showing the development cell, the helical ramp pump, and the liquid storage container,

FIG. 3 is a front view, partly in section, of the strip transport device showing parts of the development cells in section,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the two photosensitive strip transport devices,

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of one of the transport devices showing the manner in which they are operated from a front panel,

' FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in perspective of a prior art photographic composing apparatus,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in section of the exposing and developing station of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the exposing and developing cells and their co-operating equipment include two spaced cell stations (three may be used if desired) for development and fixing a photosensitive strip of material. This equipment is preferably part of a larger arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 6 and designated prior art, wherein the complete unit includes a projector 100 for directing an image on the strip of photosensitive material 27 in the first cell 102, through a light-tight bellows (not shown). A safe light filter means 103 for observing the said image by an operator and other components which include a storage space 104 for the unexposed photosensitive material 27, a transparency strip containing a series of symbols to be copied, as transport means 106 for the transparency strip, all are part of the prior art unit shown in FIG. 6. The operation of such a unit is fully set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,815 and forms no part of the present invention.

In the present invention, a horizontal table 10 supports two pumpting units 1 1 and 12. A pump motor 13, the motor shaft 14 and the transmission gears 15, 16, and 17 and 18, which turn helical pump rotors 20 are also carried by the table 10. The table 10 is formed with a depending flanged portion 21 having supporting spouts 22 therein for directing the solutions coming from the pumps 11, 12. The flange 21 has secured thereto the upstanding wall 23 of a trough 24. Spaced transparent blocks 25 separated by squeegee bars 26 are carried within the trough 24. The squeegee bars are designed to prevent the migration of solutions from station to station when a strip of photosensitive material 27 is moved beneath the cells in the operation of the present device.

The pumping units II, and 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) each include an upstanding hollow cylindrical tube 28 containing a rotor 20 formed with a helical ramp 30. The upper end of rotor 20 is connected to a shaft 31 which turns in a low resistance bushing 32. A cap 11A supports the bushing 32 and is formed with a discharge port 34 for the fluid 35 which is pumped from a storage container 36. The lower end of shaft 31 is journaled in a bushing 33. Fluid in the container 36 enters the lower end of a cylinder 28 through one or more entrance ports 37.

One of the developing stations or cells is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. It will be seen that the transparent block 25 is positioned a short distance above the photosensitive strip 27. The flat bottom 38 of the trough 34 supports the strip 27. The developing solution from pump 11, flows through spout 22 on to a deflector 40 which directs the solution between the top of the strip 27 and the block 25. Capillary action causes the solution to fill the space between the transparent block 25 and the strip 27 to provide a uniform, but moving layer of liquid covering the sensitized surface of the strip 27. In addition, the solutions used in processing of the strip have a higher viscosity than conventional solutions employed for this purpose, being of the order of 15 cps. The higher viscosity permits the solutions to be pumped at lower speeds thereby reducing the effects of vibration upon the image and helping to maintain a continuous and moving layer of solution over the strip 27. By contrast the solutions of prior art devices such as that shown in FIG. 7 employ a chemical receiving cavity in the base of the block 107 within which the solutions are retained.

The excess solution which may flow from beneath the strip 27 is drawn off through channels 41 and 42 and returned to the container 36. The main portion of the solution flows over the sensitized strip, developing the image, and then into drain outlet 43 in the inclined bottom 38 of the trough 24. The upstanding inclined wall 44 of the trough 24 directs the solution into the drain outlet 43 which delivers it to the container 36 by way of the collector plate 45. In FIG. 2, some of the members under the strip 27 are shown detached for the sake of clarity. All these parts, however, are secured to the trough 24.

The cell shown in FIG. 2 is the first station for the development of images upon the photosensitive strip 27. Accordingly, a beam of focused light rays 46 from a projector 100 (see FIG. 6) is directed by mirror 40A through the block 25 and the thin layer of developing solution, upon the strip 27. This operation may be viewed through the safe light filter 103 without damage to the desired image.

As soon as one letter or symbol has been exposed and developed, the strip 27 is moved longitudinally as hereinafter more fully described, and another symbol can be added until an entire message or display is created. As the strip of photosensitive material 27 leaves the first cell, it enters the second cell where it is fixed by the solution coming from pump 12.

The strip 27 is moved along to the left, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 by a strip transport device 47 best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. A similar transport device 48 is used to move the strip 27 in the opposite direction for precise adjustment. The two strip transport devices 47 and 48 are identical except that one is the reverse of the other. The transport devices are secured to and turned by shafts 50, 51, which are supported in bearings 52 (see FIG. carried by the front panel of the light-tight housing 53. The light-tight housing encloses the printing and developing apparatus from ambient light in the manner well-known in the art. The control or front end of each shaft 50, 51, is provided with a crank 54 for manual operation and adjustment. The rear ends of shafts 50, 51, each have a cam plate 56 secured thereto by pins 57. The upper portions of earn 56 are formed with an arcuate recess 58, which receives the rounded end 60 of one arm of a bell crank lever 61. The bell crank levers 61 are pivoted upon stub shafts 62 carried by upstanding clamping 7 arms 63. The clamping arms 63 are journaled upon shafts 50, 51, and are free to turn thereon. The upper ends of the arms 63 are formed with a lateral clamping jaw 64 for engaging the upper surface of the strip 27. The lower surface of the strip is engaged by the rounded upper end 65 of hell crank lever 61. Both bell crank levers 61 are swingable about a stub shaft 62 so that a movement of the lower arm portion 60 can either open or close the clamp jaw portions 64, 65. Under normal conditions, a spring 66 pulls the earns 56 toward each other and moves the bell crank levers 61 to open the clamp jaws supporting the strip 27 freely therebetween. When the operator desires to move the strip, the crank 54 is manually turned, rocking one of the cams 56 and moving its associated bell crank lever against the action of spring 66 to close the crank jaws on the strip 27. Further rotation of the crank 54 moves the entire strip transport device 47, 48 to advance or position the strip withinthe cells.

The operation of the photographic composing device will be apparent from the foregoing description of the structural components and the following:

The photosensitive strip 27 is moved through the cells by the strip transport device 47, 48 until the area is reached where it is desired to make an exposure. The projection system, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, is activated and the symbol bearing film 105 moved therein until the desired symbol is correctly positioned and focused on the strip 27. A safe light filter such as a red filter (not shown) is interposed between the cell transparent block 25 and the light 46 coming from the projector so that the photosensitive strip 27 will not be exposed prematurely. The symbol can thus be properly spaced and oriented upon the strip 27 before exposure. The projection is also made through the film of developing solution which has been placed on the strip 27 by the pump 11. The exposure is then made by removing the red filter from the path of light coming from the projection system. Development starts as soon as the exposure is started. When the development is complete, the operator again moves the photosensitive strip 27 by means of the transport device 48, thistime moving the exposed and developed section of the strip 27 from the development cell toward the fixing cell. The system is now ready for the exposure and development of another symbol.

It will be obvious that a third cell, similar to the two described above can be added to the system for the purpose of holding a stop solution. Such third cell would be positioned between the development and fixing cells. If a third cell is added, a third pumping system will also be added to supply the third cell with a continuous supply of moving stop solution from a third storage compartment.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided an exposing and developing apparatus for a photographic composing device in which a continuous supply of developing solution is caused to flow across the surface of the photosensitive material insuring a uniform, bubble free, fresh supply at all times to provide a more uniform, denser development of the photographic image.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is: I

1. An exposing and developing apparatus for a photographic composing device which includes a projector and means to direct a selected image into the exposing and developing device comprising a table, at least two pumping units carried by the table, a source of developing solutions for said pumping units, an elongated trough secured to the table along one margin thereof to receive developing solutions from the pumping stations, an elongated planar bottom portion in the trough, a source of photosensitive materials, means to transport the said photosensitive material across the trough bottom portion, at least a first and a second spouts carried by the table to direct the developing solutions coming from the pumping units between the bottom surface of the blocks and the upper surface of the photosensitive material whereby the image projectedupon the photosensitive material through the blocks may be processed into a permanent visible image.

2. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 1 in which squeegees are disposed at each side of the blocks normal to the path of the photosensitive material and in wiping contact with the upper surface of said material.

3. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transport means comprises spaced upstanding arms, clamping means carried by the said arms and means to rock the said arms to engage the photosensitive material and move it beneath the transparent blocks.

.6 4. An exposing and developing apparatus according jaw member. to claim 3 in which the clamping means consists of a 5. An exposing and developing apparatus according jaw member carried at the upper end of each arm, a to claim 1 in which the elongated trough is provided bell crank lever pivotally carried by each arm and a with an inclined, photosensitive material supporting rockable cam coupled to the said bell crank lever to 5 bottom portion.

bring the said lever into grasping engagement with the 

1. An exposing and developing apparatus for a photographic composing device which includes a projector and means to direct a selected image into the exposing and developing device comprising a table, at least two pumping units carried by the table, a source of developing solutions for said pumping units, an elongated trough secured to the table along one margin thereof to receive developing solutions from the pumping stations, an elongated planar bottom portion in the trough, a source of photosensitive materials, means to transport the said photosensitive material across the trough bottom portion, at least a first and a second transparent block overlying the photosensitive material, said first block adapted to receive light coming from the projector therethrough, a bottom surface on said blocks spaced from and substantially parallel to the upper surface of the photosensitive material and spouts carried by the table to direct the developing solutions coming from the pumping units between the bottom surface of the blocks and the upper surface of the photosensitive material whereby the image projected upon the photosensitive material through the blocks may be processed into a permanent visible image.
 2. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 1 in which squeegees are disposed at each side of the blocks normal to the path of the photosensitive material and in wiping contact with the upper surface of said material.
 3. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transport means comprises spaced upstanding arms, clamping means carried by the said arms and means to rock the said arms to engage the photosensitive material and move it beneath the transparent blocks.
 4. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 3 in which the clamping means consists of a jaw member carried at the upper end of each arm, a bell crank lever pivotally carried by each arm and a rockable cam coupled to the said bell crank lever to bring the said lever into grasping engagement with the jaw member.
 5. An exposing and developing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the elongated trough is provided with an inclined, photosensitive material supporting bottom portion. 